Top home improvements you should consider before selling your property

If you’re a homeowner looking to take your next step on the property ladder, you will need to sell your current home first. In order to achieve the best possible sale price, you need to know how to maximise the value of your current property.

While small improvements can add to the overall attractiveness of your home, it’s the bigger improvements that can really boost your property’s value.

Here are four of the best ways to add value to your home before you come to sell…

Plan a loft conversion

One of the best ways to add an extra room to your home, a loft conversion can typically increase your home’s value by up to 15%, according to propertypriceadvice.co.uk.

Once the planning is underway, you will need to get to grips with the types of conversions available – ranging from roof light conversions to mansard conversions.

Loft conversions can be completed fairly quickly, assuming the area is wired properly. However, be mindful of any additional labour (i.e. having to replace roof trusses and alter your hot water system) as well as moving insulation, as these can increase the overall cost.

Add a conservatory

Although conservatories mostly come into their own in the summer months, they can be used all year round and make a favourable addition to the home. They are also one of the most popular large-scale home improvements among owners.

The most significant part of your conservatory will be the glass, so it’s advisable to explore your options carefully, ensuring that the space blends into the rest of your property in a cohesive style.

While double-glazing is the minimum standard permitted by building regulations, there are other glazing options available, including solar control glass and self-cleaning glass. When it comes to the frame of the glass, uPVC, timber and aluminium all have different qualities and will directly affect the performance of the conservatory.

Conservatories can increase the value of your home by around 10%, but it’s worth noting that there are circumstances when you will need to make a planning application. For instance, to remove doors or wall link the conservatory to your home, you will need to prove that your conservatory is as energy efficient as the rest of the property.

Build an extension

A proper extension involves adding extra square footage to the house. While it could potentially cost you some of your garden space, an extension can increase the value of your home by around 15%, making it a beneficial improvement when selling.

The most popular room for an extension is the kitchen, which usually consists of building a narrow alley that runs adjacent to the kitchen in a typical terraced or semi-detached house. Doing so means you can improve the layout and gain valuable space.

If you already have a garage, an extension is even more effective. Converting the garage into another room and then expanding upwards to include another bedroom can be another way of adding value.

Spruce up kitchens and bathrooms

As kitchens and bathrooms are key rooms in the home, you want to make sure they are in the best condition possible.

A prospective buyer may be tempted to revamp the kitchen into a more modern space, but giving it a ready-made appealing flair would save them the hassle and could boost your property’s value by around 4%.

Similarly, buyers may want their own style of bathroom, but if you ensure that it is clean, smart and well-maintained, they may be tempted to keep it as is. Even updating your shower enclosure or updating the tiles could add 3-5% to your property’s value.

Of course, depending on your location, these improvements may require planning permission and building control, but by the end of it, your home may prove to be more appealing to prospective buyers and command a higher asking price.

Here at Keys and Lee, we assist sellers throughout the selling process in Romford. For more information on how we can help to sell your home, contact us on 01708 766 241.

To find out how much your property could be worth on the current market, you can also request a free online valuation.